MickiPiece1

This is an early draft. I shared this with my writing group and on e-Anthology, but haven't made any changes yet. I look forward to your feedback! Really. I do! :)   TheBluetooth: WTH?    ByMicki Fryhover  Okay. We know everyone is important and special inhis or her own way. But are you SO important that you have to walk around withthat thing protruding out of your ear? Don’t get me wrong. I totally get whythey are useful while driving a car, as it allows you to keep your hands on thewheel while you’re chatting away, just as distracted as you would be if youwere holding the phone the old fashioned way. My question is: Do you reallyneed that Bluetooth sticking out of your ear while you’re walking aroundWal-Mart? Seriously? Are you expecting a call from the President? Are yousuch a germophob you can’t reach into your own purse or pocket, and pull outyour very own personal cell phone and answer the call? Does the fate of the world depend on yourability to answer the call 4.6 seconds faster? I know! You are not coordinatedenough to walk, push the cart, AND hold the phone to your ear at the same time!It //is// a rather complicated procedure,so I guess I can see why the hands-free approach would be needed.

Maybe I’m wrong about this. Maybe you just think itmakes you look super cool. Maybe you just like messing with people. You knowwho you are. You’re the hot guy or beautiful girl with the long, flowing hairthat covers your perfect ears waiting to prey on the unsuspecting average Joeor Jane. As we peruse the shelves looking for the best bargain in the ranchdressing isle, you nonchalantly reach across our shoulders, selecting somethingoff the shelf we happen to be looking at. You startle us out of our stupor asyou say something like “what are you doing tonight?” as you remove yourselection from the shelf before us. As we formulate a response, you toss yourhead back, or tuck your hair behind your ear revealing your blasted Bluetooth.You continue the conversation completely oblivious to havoc you’ve justcreated. We, on the other hand, try desperately to prevent the flushing heatfrom reaching our cheeks as we look around praying no one else witnessed ournear snafu. I’m not bitter or jealous. I’m just simply annoyed—annoyed by thewhole Bluetooth craze.

There is, however, one place I can think of wherethe kind of hands-free application the Bluetooth provides would truly come inhandy. I’m not referring to the kitchen, where you can yap away while preppingdinner or baking a yummy batch of chocolate chip cookies. I’m talking about aplace where hands-free talking is not only preferred, but rather necessary. No,come to think of it, it is the last place I would want you to be while having atelephone conversation with me. No, come to think of it, I really prefer not tohave my conversation drowned out by the sound of a flushing toilet—unless, ofcourse, your Bluetooth happens to be going along for the ride…. Dawn-I'm right there with you sister! I take it a little further though, I thought the cell phone was for my convenience. I will answer you're call when I'm ready.